I need to acquire a trace of all incoming http requests at a web server. Unfortunately, webservers only log incoming requests that were actually processed, so there's no log of requests that were, either explicitly or implicitly, denied (due to traffic load or other reasons).

Maybe there exists some OS utility to do that? My project currently runs on Windows 7. Or maybe some free software that does?

If not, then I have to use an inverse proxy between the internet and the webserver, to log the request and then forward it. However, this adds a whole new level of complexity, affects the webserver's efficacy, changes the incoming request distribution (as they are filtered by the proxy) and the quality of the proxy's implementation affects the user-perceived webserver responsiveness. Moreover, the http response (and all subsequent communication) will have to be channeled through the proxy as well.

This is a solution I want to steer clear if possible, a typical case of observer affecting the measurements. Or make it as lightweight as possible. Any advice?

Ethereal is dead, all the developers moved over to working on Wireshark after the company had a hissy fit and refused to let go of the name. Wireshark is Ethereal, just with a different name and actively developed.

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